The Scenic Hudson Collection consists of materials documenting the landmark environmental law case that opposed the Consolidated Edison Company’s proposed pump storage facility at Storm King Mountain, near Cornwall, NY. The Scenic Hudson Decision, as the case is called in law books, launched the modern environmental movement.

Scenic Hudson, Inc. presented the records to the Marist College Library in 1982.

Historical Note

In September 1962, the Consolidated Edison Company announced plans to build a pumped storage facility, the largest of its kind in the world, at Storm King Mountain near Cornwall, New York. The initial application for license to construct the plant was filed with the Federal Power Commission in January 1963. On November 8, 1963, a small group of concerned citizens met at the home of Carl Carmer and formed the Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference to fight the pumped storage project on the grounds that it posed a threat to the Cornwall water supply and Hudson River fisheries as well as to scenic and historic Storm King Mountain. The case lasted for 17 years. In a negotiated settlement in December 1980, Consolidated Edison agreed to drop the plan for the Storm King facility. In the meantime, Scenic Hudson emerged at the forefront of the environmental movement. Over the past thirty-five years, Scenic Hudson, Inc. has safeguarded over 18,000 acres of irreplaceable landscapes, protected productive farmland, reclaimed and transformed neglected industrial waterfront sites, and purchased strategic properties to revive community centers.

Carl Carmer, author of The Hudson River and other historic works, became honorary chairman and Leo O. Rothchild was named chairman. Rothchild served until 1968 and was succeeded by Alexander Saunders. Initially, the members, working in their own homes or borrowed office space, contacted friends, prominent citizens, politicians, and other organizations for financial support, letter writing campaigns, and legal intervention.

The organizations grew rapidly. Contributions were channeled through the Natural Area Council until Scenic Hudson was incorporated in 1974. Rod Vandivert became the executive director in the mid-1960s. An office was set up in New York City, but the location changed several times during Storm King case and there were a number of office managers during that period. Professional fundraisers and public relations firms were employed in later years.

Aided by other organizations and individuals, the group conducted an intensive campaign to educate the public and to deter Consolidated Edison by legal means. The records, which document the organization’s activities, include publicity materials, copies of legal documents submitted by Scenic Hudson and others, and transcripts of hearings before Congressional sub-committees and the Federal Power Commission. The case lasted for 17 years. In a negotiated settlement in December 1980, Consolidated Edison agreed to drop the plan for the Storm King facility.

The lengthy and controversial case set important precedents in environmental law and is generally credited with spawning the modern environmental movement. Scenic Hudson, Inc. continues to serve as an environmental watchdog in the Hudson Valley.

No Restrictions

Individuals requesting reproductions expressly assume the responsibility for compliance with all pertinent provisions of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. ss101 et seq. Patrons further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Marist College Archives Special Collections and its staff in connection with any disputes arising from the Copyright Act, over the reproduction of material at the request of patrons. For more information please visit the following website:

Materials concerning hearings before the Federal Power Commission, Congressional
sub-committees, and New York State environmental groups. This series includes the official stenographic transcripts of the FPC hearings, 1964-1970, arranged chronologically. (For additional Stenographic Transcripts please see the H.R.V.C. Collection, Series 3, Boxes 3-7)

Chronological

77. Ledoux, Louis Pierreabout 1.5 linear feet63 - 66736 - 797

Correspondence relating to the Storm King case, collected by Mr. Ledoux, a member of the Board of Directors of Scenic Hudson. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically.

alphabetical

88. Legal Papersabout 3.5 linear feet67 - 77798 - 996

Briefs, petitions, motions, and other legal documents submitted by Scenic Hudson and others; testimony before the Federal Power Commission; exhibits; legislation introduced in the New York State Assembly, U.S. Senate, and the House of Representatives; and related materials.

Arranged alphabetically by name of organization or by surname of the individual. The organizations include the AFL-CIO, Army Corps of Engineers, Atomic Energy Commission, Audubon Society, Town of Cornwall, Harvard University, Hudson River
Valley Commission, Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, National Trust for Historic
Preservation, Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, and the Wilderness Society. Individuals include C. Girard Davidson, Henry Diamond, John G. Dow, Jerome Kretchmer, John
Lindsay, Roberty Moses, Eugene H. Nickerson, Richard Ottinger, Lelan F. Sillin, Jr., Lyall Stuart, and John J. Tamsen.

alphabetical

1111. Printed Matterabout 4 linear feet94 - 1051312 - 1509

Copies of periodicals, including Electrical World, 1964 - 1972; corporation reports and publications; information on power and pollution; publications of New York State and the Federal Government; brochures; and reprints of articles, arranged alphabetically by name of periodical or publication.

Reports, testimony, minutes of hearings, exhibits, briefs, policy statements, clippings, bulletins, and press releases documenting the role of the PSC in the Storm King case, 1967-1977. Papers are arranged chronologically.

chronological

1313. Sherwood, Helenabout 3 linear feet111 – 1161571 - 1644

Correspondence, press releases subject files, printed matter, and clippings on the Storm King case collected by Miss Sherwood, an active member of Scenic Hudson, Inc.